Aiden looked at the number representing "evil" on the light-screen—[Sin Index: 270]—then glanced at the [Last Wish List] below it, which clearly represented "good."
"The system's judgment is utterly cold; it only calculates the crimes themselves."
This discovery made him uncontrollably think of another person.
"If even someone like Buck, whom some civilians see as a 'Chivalrous Thief,' has a Sin Index as high as 270..."
"Then that legendary, bold, and unrestrained Roger—the Pirate King worshipped by countless people—how many families did the Great Pirate Era he inaugurated tear apart?"
"Just what kind of terrifying, astronomical figure would his [Sin Index] be?"
At this thought, Aiden shook his head with a self-deprecating laugh.
He didn't waste more time thinking about whether Buck deserved to die, nor did he lament the complexity of human nature.
He knew very well that whether it was the "Chivalrous Thief" Buck or the legendary "Pirate King" Roger, he didn't have the standing to judge their merits or faults.
In this world where the strong eat the weak, the weak don't even have the right to discuss good and evil.
And right now, Aiden was undoubtedly still among the weak.
To him, only one thing mattered: becoming stronger at all costs!
Aiden temporarily suppressed his curiosity about the last wish and focused his attention on the [Selectable Rewards] before him.
Following his intent, three brand-new cards surfaced in front of him.
[Option 1: Physical Improvement]Description: Gain an [Intermediate] physical enhancement based on Buck the Lone Walker.
[Option 2: Skill Improvement · Stealth]Description: Gain the stealth techniques Buck perfected while evading capture. Already at the [Intermediate] level.
[Option 3: Skill Improvement · Marksmanship]Description: Gain the firearm shooting techniques Buck honed over his years as a thief. Already at the [Intermediate] level.
Aiden's eyes widened slightly.
"[Intermediate] level skills..." This was a full tier higher than the [Novice] skills he had drawn before. Whether it was stealth or marksmanship, both held a fatal attraction for Aiden, who believed in the "Way of the Coward."
Aiden's gaze swept slowly over the three options.
"After 'Physique'... there's no 'Minor' label anymore." He immediately noticed this detail.
"Makes sense," Aiden recalled the contents of the file. "He committed the crime last Wednesday and was executed today—less than a week in between. Given his overall grade of B5, his physical condition wouldn't have deteriorated much in such a short time."
His heart instantly grew hot with anticipation.
An almost complete [Physical Improvement] from an B5-rank powerhouse! This was definitely an opportunity for a massive upgrade!
But Aiden only thought for less than three seconds.
"I can choose skills later, but a powerful physique is the foundation of survival in this world!"
"[Physical Improvement]!"
The moment he confirmed his choice, a stream of energy—far stronger than any previous time—slammed into his body like a floodgate being thrown open!
"Ugh!"
Aiden let out a muffled groan, every muscle in his body instantly tensing as he lay on the bed, veins bulging on his forehead.
This time, it wasn't the tearing pain from before; it was an extreme feeling of being bloated and sore after being forcibly expanded!
He felt like a balloon being frantically filled by a fire hose. Every inch of muscle and every bone groaned under the burden of this massive surge of energy.
Cold sweat rolled down his temples. He gritted his teeth, pouring every ounce of willpower into guiding and absorbing the power that was washing through his body.
Minutes later, when the energy was finally "eaten" by his body, Aiden collapsed on the bed, drenched in sweat. He panted heavily, looking like he had just finished a marathon.
But beneath this exhaustion was an unprecedented sense of strength! It felt as if every cell in his body was filled with explosive power.
And along with this sense of strength came a wave of hunger so intense it almost made him faint again.
"Hungry... so hungry..."
He struggled to crawl off the bed, enduring the soreness and weakness throughout his body as he stared intently at the clock on the wall.
There was still one hour until the cafeteria opened.
...
At the same time that evening, in the cafeteria.
When Aiden carried his eleventh meal tray back to his corner, the entire cafeteria had fallen silent.
All the Marine soldiers, including Old Hank from the cooking squad, stared at the handsome boy whose appetite rivaled that of a giant as if they were looking at a monster.
Aiden ignored all the gazes and swept the last portion of food into his stomach.
Only then did that terrifying hunger finally begin to recede.
Aiden leaned against the back of his chair, feeling the solid sense of regaining control over his body.
He couldn't help but fall into thought: "A single B5-rank physical upgrade requires nearly 11 servings of food to fill the energy deficit. What about S-rank or even SS-rank in the future? At that rate, I'll probably have to eat an entire Sea King..."
...
In the dead of night, Aiden changed into inconspicuous civilian clothes. Like a black shadow, he merged noiselessly into the night of Loguetown.
Guided by Buck's memories, he crossed several alleys and reached an abandoned brewery on the edge of town.
Beneath a loose stone slab in the underground wine cellar, he found a waterproof leather case. Opening it revealed neatly stacked Berries.
Next, following the address in Buck's memory, he found the small wooden hut where a dim yellow oil lamp flickered. He didn't knock directly; instead, he retreated into the shadows and observed quietly.
The house was small, and the soundproofing was poor. Through the window, he could see a middle-aged woman who looked capable, though the hair at her temples showed the wear of time. She was busy sewing something.
At the same time, a soft, somewhat off-key lullaby hummed from inside the house, carrying a sense of warmth.
Once Aiden confirmed everything was correct, he pulled a letter he had written in advance from his coat—a letter briefly explaining the origin of the money and Buck's last wish.
He placed the case and the letter quietly by the door.
Imitating the secret knock from Buck's memory, he tapped the door panel three times softly. Then, without staying a second longer, he turned and vanished into the darkness.
He heard the woman open the door in confusion, followed by the sound of muffled sobbing—a mixture of uncontrollable joy and grief—after she saw the letter and the money box.
As Aiden was returning to the base, the cold system notification rang in his mind.
[Buck's Last Wish: Entrustment] Completed.
[Calculating unknown reward...]
[Reward calculation complete!]
[Reward: You may choose one more item from "Lone Walker" Buck's remaining [Selectable Rewards]!]
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